The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-03
THE ALABAMA GRANGE.
REPoRToF STATE MASTER HAWKINS
TO THE NATIONAL BODY.
The National Existence of the organi-
cation Dependent Upon the Life OF
the Grange in the States-A Paper
Worthy of Being Read.

Mich:
"Worthy Master Our national exist |
ence rs an organization is dependent upon |
the life OF the Grange in the States which |
compose IL. II is therefore an important
feature in our order, on the opening OF
each annual session, TO "requirc written !
report OF the general standing and need oil
the order in each State"
ain submitting the report for the state |
which have the honor 10 represent, all
will Join with me in the regret that the
general standing OF the order in Alabama
now IL not what il once was. The records
show that more than 200 charters have
been issued 10 subordinate oranges in the
State.
'In the first few years OF iis existence
the wild rush 10 organize new oranges
opened the way, 80 that every class, trade
and profession, even the dcmagogue and
the politicians, found their way into our
order.
at was not long, however, before II was
demonstrated that what was deemed It's
greatest strength contained the elements OF
It's greatest weakness.
1.-The great desire TO multiply oranges
caused many to De- organized that should
never have had an existence, for the rea-
son that they possessed none OF the clc-
ments OF permanently or success. The only
redeeming feature OF all this hasiy action
was that Il brought hundreds of dollars 10
the Grunge treasury. This fund, however,
was unfortunately used TO augment the
ends which hastencd the great collapse
which followed. The Grange went down
as fast rs il had risen, until nearly nll
the oranges in the state became dormant.
"A few. however in central Alabama re- j
manned true and stcadlust, and today are
living monuments 10 the undying princi-
pies OF the noble order We have met 10 per
petuaic. They have passed through the
irving ordeal incident to sudden imitation
and hasiy action, and. ms the saying goes,
"struck bottom" The time has seemed
long, but we have passed our days OF de
spondcncy and gloom, and am happy to
be- able To report that with brighter hopes
than for many years IN the past We have
commenced 10 rebuild the Grange temple
in Alabama, and this time on u solid
foundation. Our work il progressing, not
rapidly but steadily, rs is evidenced by the
fac, TINT We are thirteen oranges stronger
now than We were one year ago.
AT our annual state meeting In peccm-
Der OF last year, Il WAS deemed advisable
20 change the time Of holding our annual
sessions from December 20 August The
grand SUCCESS Of our meeting In August
last has shown the change 10 have been
wise one. On that occasion We had q grind
reunion. reminding one oi the palmicst
days Of the grange.
"The country turned ont on nlassc, com
ing from miles around in wagons and bug
gics. loaded with provisions not less than
500 Changers and their friends 10 give Us q
cordial welcome.
"Sincc then I've new oranges have been
organized In that section and the adj0in
ing counties.
'sThe eth and s,h Of next month has been
appointed ior n two duys' meeting oi these
grange, ior the purpose ui organizing a
Pomona Grunge. 4 dozen or moro
oranges will participate in the meeting,
and not less Than 100 or moW viii bu pres
ont. expecting 10 rccciyc the benefit Of the
fifth degree.
''The State deputy and myself are booked
for the occasion.
81 deem Il but an net Of justice in this
connection 90 state that Brother Dough.
city, our worthy State lecturer, who lives
in this growing section Is entitled 10 the
credit, more than any one else, ior work.
ing up this interest and organizing these
grangus lle informs me that the few old
oranges in this section since or last IN.
nual meeting have increased In member.
ship at least 30 per cent
"rhis leads me 30 consider briefly the
"Nrrps oF rnE ORDER,
which arc many aud pressing in every part
OF the state.
81 have alluded particularly ,o southeast
Alabama, because IN this section arr mani.
Tested the unsistakahle evidence II growth
and progps OF the order. Here. too, h o
section OF country comparatively new
which Is being developed into one OF Oh,
most important and desirable agricultural
sections Of the south. II IL occupied. s
far NJ settled, almost exclusively by whit,
ecttlcr,, Who are mostly NJ the small iaru
class, and consequently do their owl
work. The lace of the countryis compare
lively level, well timhcrrd and well wa
tered, and produces abundant crops
giving as good, u not batter D.
suits In the use ~ commopia
fertilizers than any other section. This il
therefore, q growing section. Having n
yet no railroad facilities. several have beet
located and one u being rapidly pushc.
into the interior OF this lelL This groa
belt extends from the Chaliah00ehcc ave
the eastern boundary 81 the S'lto-lO
miles west aud from the Florida line ca
miles north Our order has the c0nfdcnc
OF the people Of this great section. Tvcly
new rmngvs have bvcn Organized la
since the last meeting Of the Nation.
Gmngc.
"Thc members Of our oflcr arc aynilin
Themselves Of the advantages of cooper.
ton with good results They have a con
mittcc which contracts with merchant
their commercial center 10 buy Tor N
members Of The order on commission at
per cent cash and 20 Per cent on tim
70 Those Who cannot command the casl
Their cotton. under this system. Il handle
al la nominal Zee, les than hall the usu.
charges. by this means a large per cen
IA saved, and hence every farmer IN III
country d ready 10 Join In with the orl.
when these aud other advantages arr e.
planned. This Geld u therefore ripe q
the harvest II II desirable because oi {
present ns wei as It's promises iur u
Iuiup,.
eve should remember that them
tide IN the allairs' OF the Changers
well ne Of men. which, n taken In tim
will lead 10 good results. Perhaps no mo
inviting field II within the jurisdiction
this national body. Tic harvest h rad
and you are invited TO rap with the aVu
ancc u you do not others will. They a
now upon our border.
''The state Grange Inns not the means
give the required aid, and the Nation
Grunge i appealed 20 10 supply this rr,
need But one dormant Grange has be-
revived In Alabama during thc year.
am clearly OF the opinion II proper and
iclCnt measures were npouiol nj lfnst All